this will probably be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this will probably be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a likelihood or expectation about a future event or situation. Example: "Based on the current trends, this will probably be the best year for our sales."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This will probably be irreversible.

The Guardian

But this will probably be too expensive.

The New York Times - Arts

On UNIX machines, this will probably be /usr/local/bin.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This will probably be the downfall of the B.C.S., ultimately.

The New Yorker

This will probably be the desire of most people.

The Economist

This will probably be scaled back to 184.

The Economist

This will probably be the longest of our restoration projects.

The New York Times

"This will probably be troublesome," Dr. Cerf said.

The New York Times - Tech

"She has some good ones," he said, "but this will probably be the best one.

The New York Times - Sports

This will probably be an area for dispute in the future.

The Guardian

In time, this will probably be considered as barbaric as bloodletting.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "this will probably be", consider the audience and context to ensure the level of formality is appropriate.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "probably" if stronger evidence supports a more definitive statement. Replace it with phrases that convey greater certainty when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this will probably be" functions as an auxiliary phrase, primarily used to express a prediction or expectation about a future event or state. Ludwig confirms its widespread usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this will probably be" is a versatile phrase used to express a likely expectation, according to Ludwig. It's grammatically correct and frequently used in news, wikis, and scientific contexts. While generally neutral in register, it's important to be aware of more formal alternatives for professional writing. The phrase's strength lies in its ability to convey a degree of uncertainty while still projecting a probable outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this is likely to be

Replaces "will probably be" with a more direct expression of likelihood.

this is expected to be

Substitutes "probably" with "expected", indicating a higher degree of anticipation or prediction.

this is anticipated to be

Similar to "expected", but with a slightly more formal tone.

this is projected to be

Implies a forecast or estimation, often based on data or trends.

this may very well be

Uses "may very well" to add emphasis to the possibility.

this could easily be

Highlights the ease or plausibility of the event occurring.

this is apt to be

A more formal alternative, suggesting a natural tendency or inclination.

this is bound to be

Implies a sense of inevitability or certainty.

it's reasonable to assume this will be

Adds a layer of justification or reasoning to the assumption.

chances are this will be

More colloquial, directly expressing the probability of the event.

FAQs

How can I use "this will probably be" in a sentence?

Use "this will probably be" to express an expectation or likelihood about a future event. For instance, "This will probably be the last time we meet this year."

What are some alternatives to "this will probably be"?

You can use alternatives such as "this is likely to be", "this is expected to be", or "this may very well be" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "this will probably be" too informal for professional writing?

While generally acceptable, consider using a more formal alternative like "this is anticipated to be" or "this is projected to be" in highly formal contexts to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "this will probably be" and "this will definitely be"?

"This will probably be" indicates a likelihood but leaves room for uncertainty, while "this will definitely be" asserts a higher degree of certainty with less room for doubt.